Surgical Techniques
The goal of proper positioning is to provide the best possible access and visualization of the surgical site while causing the least possible compromise in physiological function and stress to joints, skin and other body parts
Positioning should also provide access to the patient for the administration of IV fluids and anesthetic agents and provide patient safety
Trendelenburg Position
Reverse Trendelenburg
Position
Fowler’s Position
Sitting Position
Laparotomy Position
Supine Position
This is the usual position for administering general anesthesia and for doing most surgery of the abdomen such as laparotomy, herniorrhaphy, and appendectomy. With slight modifications, it is also used for other types of surgery, such as surgery on the arms or legs.
Supine Position
Reverse Trendelenburg
Position
Fowler’s Position
Sitting Position
Lithotomy Position
Trendelenburg Position
Used for operations on the bladder, prostate gland, colon, female
reproductive system, or for any operation in
which it is desirable to tilt the abdominal
viscera away from the pelvic area for better
exposure
Supine Position
Trendelenburg Position
Fowlers Position
Sitting Position
Lithotomy Position
May be used for surgery on the neck,
such as thyroidectomy, and
for certain abdominal surgery,
such as liver or gallbladder operations
Reverse Trendelenburg
Position
Supine Position
Trendelenburg Position
Reverse Trendelenburg Position
Sitting Position
Lithotomy Position
Fowler’s Position
Applied at operations on a
head and neck, at laparoscopic operations,
fundoplications and
cardiomyotomy
Supine Position
Trendelenburg Position
Reverse Trendelenburg Position
Fowler’s Position
Lithotomy Position
Sitting Position
Included in surgery for which the patient sits upright are
various operations on the nose and throat, as well as some plastic surgical procedures.
Supine Position
Trendelenburg Position
Reverse Trendelenburg Position
Fowler’s Position
Sitting Position
Lithotomy Position
Used for surgery in the perineal area,
such as drainage of rectal abscesses and
perineal prostatectomies, and
for gynecological surgery such as
vaginal hysterectomy
Prone Position
Kraske (Jackknife) Position
Lateral Position
Kidney Position
Sims’ Position
Used for surgical procedures-major or minor-that are performed on the back, shoulders, neck, or back of the head. Placement of the
patient in the prone position for minor surgery, using local anesthesia, differs in some respects with placement for general
anesthesia.
allowing the surgeon to have optimal access to the kidneys.
Prone Position
Lateral Position
Kidney Position
Sims’ Position
Kraske (Jackknife)
Position
Used for surgery on the coccyx, buttocks, or rectum, particularly when the patient has had spinal anesthesia and there is no objection to his being placed either face downward or head low.
Kraske (Jackknife) Position
Prone Position
Kidney Position
Sims’ Position
Lateral Position
Examples of why we would use this procedure is for upper chest or kidney procedures
Kraske (Jackknife) Position
Prone Position
Lateral Position
Sims’ Position KidneyPosition
Used for surgery on the kidney or the
proximal third of the ureter.
Prone Position
Kidney Position
Lateral Position
Kraske (Jackknife) Position
Sims’Position